Systems and methods for securing and disseminating time sensitive information using a blockchain

ABSTRACT

An information computer system is provided for securely releasing time-sensitive information to recipients via a blockchain. A submitter submits a document to the system and a blockchain transaction is generated and submitted to the blockchain based on the document (e.g., the document is included as part of the blockchain transaction). An editor may edit the document and an approver may approve the document for release to the recipients. Each modification and/or approval of the document is recorded as a separate transaction on the blockchain where each of the submitter, editor, approver, and recipients interact with the blockchain with corresponding unique digital identifiers—such as private keys.

CROSS REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/418,407, filed Jan. 27, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. PatentApplication No. 62/288,294 filed Jan. 28, 2016, the entire contents ofeach or which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

The technology herein relates to cryptographic distributed systems thatsecure and disseminate electronic information. More particularly, thetechnology herein relates to a system that integrates a blockchain thatstores, secures, and disseminates time-sensitive information.

INTRODUCTION

A number of electronic platforms (referred to as “wire services,”“newswire services,” “news release distribution services,” “online newsdistribution services,” and the like) exist that allow for thedissemination of news information (and other types of information) toappropriate recipients in a timely manner. Many such platforms provide aweb-based interface that allows a customer to upload, for example, areport from the FDA regarding a new drug, or an earnings report for acompany. This information may be received and then processed by theplatform, stored into a database, and then released to recipients at adesignated time (e.g., via email or published to a website or other data“feed”).

In recent years, a number of features have been added to these servicesto address the needs of the people and organizations that use suchservices. For example, many services now include encryption features,advanced access control functionality (to enforce limits on which userscan access which information), and/or workflow functionality that allowsfor the editing, review, and approval of information before it isdisseminated. However, the inclusion of these features in a service canlead to audit trail gaps (or no audit trail at all). Furthermore, theincreased complexity in these services can lead to errors. Thus, new andimproved techniques and systems for delivering and securing suchtime-sensitive information are continually sought after.

SUMMARY

In certain example embodiments, a computer system is provided thatenables users to securely record time-sensitive information (e.g.,announcements, press releases, regulatory filings, and the like) alongwith associated meta-data using blockchain technology. The computersystem and blockchain are programmed to allow dissemination of theinformation directly to selected parties at a set scheduled time byusing programs or scripts (e.g., sometimes referred to as smartcontracts) that have been added to the blockchain according to certainexample embodiments. Access to the sensitive information that is storedon the blockchain may include a multi-signature requirement that is partof the embedded scripts that make up a given blockchain transaction. Theintended recipients of the information may then directly interface withthe blockchain at the scheduled time (e.g., that is controlled by theembedded script that is part of a transaction) to access informationthat has been securely stored thereon.

The features described herein may be combined to form additionalembodiments and sub-elements of certain embodiments may form yet furtherembodiments. This summary is provided to introduce a selection ofconcepts that are further described below in the detailed description.This summary is intended neither to identify key features or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, nor to be used to limit thescope of the claimed subject matter; rather, this summary is intended toprovide an overview of the subject matter described in this document.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described featuresare merely examples, and that other features, aspects, and advantages ofthe subject matter described herein will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description, figures, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages will be better and morecompletely understood by referring to the following detailed descriptionof example non-limiting illustrative embodiments in conjunction with thedrawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example function block diagram of acomputer-implemented information system that interfaces with ablockchain according to certain example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an example computerized process of securingand disseminating time sensitive information using an example blockchainaccording to certain example embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are signal diagrams showing a process for securing anddisseminating time sensitive information using an example blockchainaccording to certain example embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is an example computer system according to certain exampleembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation andnon-limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particularnodes, functional entities, techniques, protocols, etc. in order toprovide an understanding of the described technology. It will beapparent to one skilled in the art that other embodiments may bepracticed apart from the specific details described below. In otherinstances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods, devices,techniques, etc. are omitted so as not to obscure the description withunnecessary detail. Sections may be used in this Detailed Descriptionsolely in order to orient the reader as to the general subject matter ofeach section; as will be seen in the following text, the description ofmany features spans multiple sections, and headings should not be readas affecting the meaning of the description included in any section. Forexample, the inventors contemplate combinations of features that arediscussed in more than one of the sections.

Overview

In certain example embodiments, an information storage system (e.g., acomputer system that may include one or more computer nodes) includes aninterface to a blockchain (e.g., plural distributed computing nodes thateach possess part or all of a distributed cryptographic ledger) and isprogrammed to accept or receive electronic information for clientsystems. When the electronic information is received, a new blockchaintransaction is generated that includes or carries the electronicinformation and this new blockchain transaction is submitted to theblockchain for inclusion thereon.

In certain examples, users may be authorized to submit, edit, or approve(e.g., for release) the information (e.g., the originally submitteddocument or a version of that document) to the blockchain. After theinitial submission of a document, an editing process may be enabledwhere edits to the existing document may be generated by the informationsystem and submitted to the blockchain, causing correspondingtransactions to be stored on the blockchain. Additional transactionsthat are generated based on the edits may effectively provide a proof ofcustody or audit trail for the document. After completion of the editingprocess (or if no editing is needed), the document may be finalized andthen approved for release by one or more designated approvers. Theapprovers may cryptographically “approve” the document for release byproviding their cryptographic signature to a blockchain transaction.

Once a document is approved for release, a final transaction isgenerated and submitted to the blockchain. This blockchain transactionmay have additional requirements to “unlock” the document or informationprovided therein (e.g., a specific time at which the information may beavailable). Once the final transaction is submitted, the intendedrecipients of the document may monitor the blockchain to determine ifthey can now access the document stored in the transaction.

It will be appreciated that the time-aware nature of the scripts orcomputer programs associated with a given blockchain transaction (whichare enriched based on meta-data entered by users associated with therelease of a document) in combination with the requirement for thecryptographic signatures of the approvers can assist in providingtime-sensitive or confidential information to the general public (or atleast an intended recipient group) in a secure and reliable manner.

FIG. 1 shows an example information system in function-block form wherethe functions may be implemented on, for example, the example computersystem shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is an example process that shows how asubmitter, editor, and approver cause various interactions with theblockchain based on the originally submitted document. The exampleprocess illustrates example steps for how a document is eventuallyreleased to an intended recipient group. FIGS. 3A and 3B are signaldiagram versions of the process shown in FIG. 2.

Description of FIG. 1

By way of introduction, FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting examplefunction block diagram of a computer-implemented information system 100(referred to as “information system” herein) that interfaces withblockchain 116 according to certain example embodiments.

Submitter system 120, editor system 122, and approver system 124 arecomputer systems (either different computer systems or the same computersystem) controlled by respective submitter, editor, and approver users(which may be referred to simply as submitter, editor, and approver)that communicate over an electronic data communications network 110 withinformation system 100. In certain example embodiments, the submitter,editor, and approver are computer programs (e.g., automated programs)that provide the input and/or functionality associated with thesubmitter, editor, and approver. The systems that communicate with theinformation system 100 may be personal computers, mobile devices,automated computer systems, or the like and may include or implement aclient-side application that is designed and programmed to communicatewith information system 100. In certain examples, the electroniccommunication may take the form of a web site or the like and a web pagemay be rendered based on a mark-up language (e.g., HTML) transmittedfrom a web server that is part of, or associated with, informationsystem 100.

In certain example embodiments, a submitter user (e.g. a user that isusing the submitter system 120) (also referred to herein as a“submitter”) may be a user that submits the initial document andassociated meta-data (e.g., information on when the document is to bereleased, who or which recipients are to have direct access to thedocument on the blockchain, how the document will be made available,etc. . . . ). In certain example embodiments, each submitter user mayhave a corresponding digital wallet identifier and corresponding privatekey. This information may allow the submitter user to interface with theblockchain 116 (either directly or via information system 100).

In certain example embodiments, an editor user (or “editor”) is a userthat provides a value added service and is allowed to modify thedocument originally submitted by the submitter user. In certaininstances, the editor user may belong to a different organization orcompany from the submitter. For example, and editor user may be a lawyerfrom a law firm or an accountant from an accounting firm. Like thesubmitter user, the editor user (e.g., each editor user) may have acorresponding digital wallet with an associated private key.

In certain example embodiments, an approver user (or “approver”) is auser that can approve a document that has been submitted (and perhapsedited) for dissemination to intended recipients. An approver user maybe issued a digital wallet that includes information that allows theapprover user to see a document and other information associated withthe document, such as the document's scheduled time, the list of (other)approvers of the document, and the overall approval status of thedocument (e.g., how long until it is “released”). The approver user mayuse their associated wallet and private key to approve or reject a givendocument that has been included into a blockchain transaction.

In certain example embodiments, the above submitter, editor, andapprover user may be roles that may be assigned to a given user accountand/or associated digital wallet. In certain example embodiments, agiven user may have two or three of the above roles assigned to thatuser.

Information system 100 includes network interface 108 configured toreceive electronic data messages that make up a submitted document,file, or other electronic information submitted from submitter system120. Electronic data messages may also compose commands or remoteprocedure calls (e.g., via an application programming interface or API)that are used by, for example, the submitter, editor, or approver forsubmitting, editing, or approving a document.

It should be noted that the term document, as used herein, and unlessotherwise noted, is intended to encompass electric documents, electronicfiles, and other electronic information or content that may be submittedto the information system 100 and the blockchain 116. As used herein,documents may include audio files, video files, spreadsheets, textdocuments, image files, files in proprietary formats (e.g., PDF), orfiles in open standard formats (e.g., XML, etc. . . . ). In certainexample embodiments, a user (e.g., either the editor or submitter) mayupload or edit the digital content through a web interface. For example,the submitter may type the digital content into a text box or otherweb-based control. The digital content may be stored to the blockchain(e.g., either in text form, XML, html, etc. . . . ) and then lateredited by an editor through the same web interface. In short, there maybe different options for how customers (e.g., the submitter, editor, andapprover) interact with the content or document that is set to be“released” to the recipients (or recipient systems 126).

Information system 100 includes a hardware processor 102 (e.g., a CPU,GPU, etc. . . . ) that executes instructions 106 stored in electronicmemory (e.g., registers, RAM, other volatile or non-volatile memory,etc. . . . ) of information system 100.

Wallet memory 104 stores digital wallet accounts that are used forinteracting with blockchain 116. Wallet memory may be stored in storedin a computer storage system (e.g., that may include storage 508, RAM506, and/or other electronic storage that is part of system 100 oraccessible to system 100). Wallet memory includes digital walletaccounts for the submitter, the editor, the approver, each of therecipients 126, and possibly the entity running the information system100. A digital wallet is a data structure that stores data that isaccessed via software and hardware (or specifically designed hardware)that allows the generation of transactions that use, for example, ablockchain. The digital wallet data structure can include a private key(e.g., that is only known to the holder of the wallet) and a series ofidentifiers (sometimes called wallet identifiers or walletIDs herein)that have been generated based on the private key. These identifiers are“public” and can used to allow other users to “send” transactions, whichare recorded on the blockchain, to that identifier—and thus the userassociated with the wallet from which the identifier is linked to.

For example, a submitter that uploads a new document will “send” a blocktransaction to a wallet identifier associated with an editor (or anapprover(s) if no editor is required). That blockchain transaction mayonly be unlocked by using the private key of the editor from which theeditor's public wallet identifier was generated (e.g., using a hashalgorithm). When the transaction is “unlocked” by the editor, a newblockchain transaction is generated and sent to a wallet identifierassociated with an approver (or another editor).

Accordingly, software associated with the wallet may be used to querythe blockchain to determine what unspent transactions (e.g., thosetransaction outputs not used as inputs for another transaction) areassociated with the identifiers of a given wallet. Such software maythen present a holistic view of what is “owned” by the holder of thewallet. For example, a blockchain transaction that has an un-approvedearning report associated with it may be owned by the approver (orapprovers). Other transactions that have been un-approved by theindicated approver may also be displayed as part of that user's“wallet.” Naturally, the publically shown identifiers associated withthose transactions may all be unique due to the way the walletidentifiers are generated based on the private keys of each wallet.Thus, it may be impossible (or at least computationally very difficult)to tell what private key (e.g., which wallet) is associated with whichtransaction.

In certain example embodiments, a digital wallet and its contents (e.g.,private key and generated identifiers) are stored on a user controlleddevice (e.g., submitter system 120, editor system 122, or approversystem 124) and these systems may transmit wallet identifiers and/orprivate key information to information system 100 for interacting withblockchain 116. Various elements of the wallet may thus be provided ondifferent computer system (e.g., a mobile device of a user, a user'sdesktop computer system, the information system 100, or another thirdparty system—e.g., a cloud based system that stores digital wallets andthe information therein). In certain example embodiments, walletidentifiers (and/or the private key of the wallet) that are stored inwallet memory 104 may allow information system 100 to interact withblockchain 116 on behalf of the owner of the wallet.

Blockchain 116 is a data structure that is provided or stored on ablockchain computer system (not shown) that may include a plurality ofcomputer devices (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5) that communicate with eachother over an electronic data communications network. Each node of theblockchain computer system may store a copy (or a portion) of theblockchain 116. Whenever it is described in this document that data(whether a transaction, or any other type of data) is stored on theblockchain, such storing may include: the initial reception of thetransaction to the blockchain 116 (or one of the nodes therein); thecryptographic verification of the transaction (e.g., its incorporationinto a “block” of the blockchain); and/or a determination that thetransaction is now computationally immutable (e.g., multiple blocks havebeen linked to the blockchain that incorporated the at-issuetransaction).

Information system 100 may also be coupled to database 118, which mayhold account information (e.g., security credentials that allow thesubmitter, editor, or approver to interact with the information system100), workflow information (e.g., which approvers are needed for a givendocument to be released), group information on recipients that belong toa given group, mappings between such group information and how clientschoose to have their submitted information shared with those recipients,and other data.

Description of FIG. 2

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an example computerized process that securesand disseminates a document using an example blockchain according tocertain example embodiments.

As discussed above, information system 100 may enable or provide a userinterface (e.g., via the stored computer instructions) to clientcomputer systems. This is represented in FIG. 2 as user interface 200.In certain instances, this may be an API or computer program thatfacilitates or provides a user interface for a user(s) to performsubmission, editing, and approving tasks. In certain exampleembodiments, recipients (e.g., via recipient systems 126) may use theuser interface 200 to view documents that have been “released” via theblockchain 116.

Submitter system 120 authenticates or otherwise logs into informationsystem 100. The user interface 200 may send or present a number ofdifferent options for a submitter user to create one or more types ofjobs (e.g., a job being a planned release of a document at some futuretime and date). Some of the different jobs may include press releases,earnings releases, regulatory filings, general company announcements,and the like. These jobs may come with prepopulated options (e.g., thatearning releases always occur at a certain time or that regulatoryfilings need to be edited and/or approved by a law firm, etc.) for thegiven job. In certain examples, a user may create a custom job for adocument.

Once a particular type of job is selected by the submitter, thesubmitter can then upload or otherwise provide both the document that isto be released and meta-data associated with the document. In certainexample embodiments, the content (e.g. that will become the releaseddocument) may be provided through the user interface 200. For example,the submitter may manually enter the text into a textbox that is part ofthe user interface 200 (e.g., that is displayed in a web browser onsubmitter system 120).

The submitter also enters or specifies meta-data associated with thedocument and/or job. This may include, but is not limited to, whether aneditor is needed for the job, the schedule at which the document is tobe disseminated, the intended recipient(s) for the document, and/or themulti-signature (multi-sig) requirements for the smart contract (e.g.,who is required to approve the finalized version of the document). Incertain example embodiments, multi-sig may refer to a requirement thatmore than one party (e.g., more than one approver) is required toapprove a transaction before the document is released to the intendedrecipients. In other words, multiple approvers may be required to “sign”or unlock (e.g., by using their corresponding private keys) a blockchaintransaction that is holding the to-be-released document. Thismulti-signature requirement may be part of smart-contract that alsospecifies the time that the transaction will be unlocked and viewed bythe intended recipients. As used herein, a smart contract is a computerprogram (or script) that enforces one or more programmatic rules for acorresponding blockchain transaction. These rules may be mutually agreedupon by the parties associated with the blockchain transaction.

The above information that is entered by the submitter user on thesubmitter system 120 is received by the information system 100 at step202. Once the information is received, the system proceeds to interactwith the blockchain in step 204 where the first (of perhaps many)blockchain transactions associated with this job is generated andsubmitted to the blockchain 116. In particular, the informationprocessing system may calculate the cryptographic hash for the contentor document associated with the job and store that hash and document onthe blockchain 116 as part of the unspent transaction(s). In certainexample embodiments, the blockchain could be a public blockchain that ispart of the bitcoin blockchain. Alternatively or additionally, a coloredcoin (e.g., part of the OpenAsset Protocol) may be used. In otherexample embodiments, a privately operated blockchain (e.g., a blockchainnetwork that does not allow anyone of the general public to join) may beused.

In any event, it will be appreciated that once block transaction 204 isgenerated and submitted to blockchain 116 that any subsequentmodification to the document associated with this transaction will besaved as a separate blockchain transaction. This ensures that a completeaudit trail (from submission, up through and including distribution tothe intended recipients) is kept for all modifications to the document.In certain example embodiments, a user interface may be configured toshow a graphical representation of a complete audit trail of theblockchain transactions from submission of the document to “release” ofthe document to the recipients. This graphical representation mayinclude showing which users made edits to the document and when thoseedits where made. The graphical representation may include whichapprovers were to approve the document and when those approvals weremade. The graphical representation may include a listing of whichrecipients have accessed or have “received” the document.

In certain example embodiments, the document or content may be encryptedbefore being incorporated into the transactions saved to blockchain 116.Such an implementation may be preferable in cases where the informationis especially time-sensitive or confidential until its public release.

The additional meta-data information entered by the submitter andreceived in step 202 (e.g., multi-sig requirements, the schedule of whenthe document is to be “released,” the recipients that are to receive thedocuments) all become input for the smart contract that is part of thegenerated blockchain transaction in step 204.

In step 206 (which may occur in parallel or sequentially with step 204),a determination is made whether an editor is needed. In certaininstances, this information may be assigned automatically (e.g.,irrespective of the meta-data provided by the submitter) by theinformation system 100. For example, the database of the informationsystem 100 may store various rules that indicate, for example, allearning reports are required to be submitted to an auditor for potentialediting. This type of rule may be automatically enforced by theinformation system 100. In other examples, the submitter may specify (aspart of the entered metadata) that an editor will be assigned the joband can edit the document.

If an editor is required, then the job is assigned to an editor. If aneditor is required, then the user interface of the information system100 provides a suitable user interface to allow an editor user of editorsystem 122 to edit the document associated with this job in step 208.

As part of the editing process, the information system 100 may captureany and all modifications to the document that are entered by the editoruser. In certain example embodiments, each editor user may have theirown digital wallet and corresponding private (and public) key which maybe obtained through the get wallet information step 201. The reviseddocument and/or the changes made by the editor user may be used tocreate another blockchain transaction in step 210.

An example up until this point may be as follows. When a submittersubmits a document, the created transaction may use the public key ofthe editor that is to edit the document. The blockchain transaction (andthe document carried by that transaction) are signed by the editor'spublic key and can thus only be “opened” by the private key held by theeditor. When the editor begins editing the document, the private key forthe editor is used to unlock the document. When the editing is complete(or saved), a new blockchain transaction is created. In certainexamples, the transaction may be signed with the public key of anapprover. In certain examples, this new transaction may be signed withthe public key of another editor, or perhaps the same editor (e.g., theyare not done editing the document). As part of the generation of a newblockchain transaction, the newly revised document may becryptographically hashed and then the new document and its hash may bestored on the blockchain via the new blockchain transaction. In otherexamples, the modifications to the document may be hashed and thenstored as part of a blockchain transaction. These datasets may be storedas unspent transactions on the blockchain.

In certain example embodiments, the editor process may repeat (e.g.,multiple editors may be involved and may make multiple edits). This isrepresented in FIG. 2 by the connection between step 208 and editor 122.Each of the edits made to the document will be stored as a separateblockchain transaction.

In step 212, the job is “finalized” by either the submitter user or theeditor user. In other words, if no editor is needed, then the submittermay finalize the job. If an editor is editing the document, then theymay edit the document multiple times until finalizing at step 212. Incertain example embodiments, finalization of the document may generate anew blockchain transaction (e.g., 216).

After being finalized, then the document is converted at step 214 by theinformation system 100 into a desired format that is suitable fordistribution to the intended recipients. This format may include variousmachine readable formats such as XML, HTML, PDF, etc., which aresuitable for consumption by the recipients. The converted document (andhashes thereof) are included in blockchain transaction 216 that isgenerated for the finalized (and converted) set of data.

After the conversion, information system 100 moves the job to the nextstage—approval. Here, information system 100 notifies all requiredapproving entities and requests approval of the release of the documentat step 218.

Approving users use their digital wallets to approve or reject thedocument that is to be released. If the document is rejected, theapprover may provide a reason and send the document back to an editor(e.g., by signing a new transaction with the public key of the editor).Alternatively, a rejection may result in the document or job beingpermanently rejected. For example, the information system 100 maymaintain a digital wallet that acts a trash bin where documents that arenot to be released are signed with the public key the digital walletassociated with this trash bin. Once a document is rejected in thismanner, it may (effectively) be shredded as only the information system100 will have access to the key that could “unlock” the document that ispresent in the blockchain transaction.

Alternatively, an approver may approve the document for release. In thiscase, another blockchain transaction 220 is created that is signed bythe digital wallet associated with the approver. This signature maycomplete one part (or the whole) of the smart contract associated withthe document.

In steps 222 and 224, the information system 100 continuously monitorsblockchain 116 for the smart contract maturity or expiration. A smartcontract associated with a document matures or expires when all theconditions for the approval are met (this includes having the requisiteapprovers approve the document and having the indicated time for thesmart contract expire).

If a smart contract associated with the blockchain does mature, then theinformation system 100 may read the data associated with the documentfrom the blockchain, and notify the intended recipients in step 226. Incertain example embodiments, the recipients may monitor the blockchaindirectly and read the blockchain transaction that contains the finalizedand approved document directly therefrom (e.g., because the smartcontract allows such an action). In certain examples, the document maybe delivered to the intended recipients via email or other deliverysystem. In certain examples, the system 100 may upload or post thedocument to a website that the recipients can access. This completes the“job” that was initially started by the submitter.

In certain example embodiments, the recipients may each have a wallet(e.g. that is stored in wallet memory 104). Once a job is completed (ora smart contract matures), another blockchain transaction may begenerated that makes each of the intended recipients the owner (e.g., atransaction will be signed using the recipients' public keys) of thesame data. Thus, when a recipient opens their wallet (or a transactionis now “owned” by that wallet) they will be able to read the documentcontained in the transaction. In certain examples, approval by anapprover may thus generate a one-to-many transaction, where the “many”side of the transaction is each one of the recipients.

In certain example embodiments, for any of the different blockchaintransactions herein, different portions of a document may be encryptedusing different encryption keys. Thus, for example, when an editor isassigned to edit and review a document, some portions of that documentmay be encrypted using a key that is not available to the editor. Thedocument may thus be segmented into different portions that aredisplayed to corresponding users on a need to know basis.

Description of FIGS. 3A-3B

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the process shown in FIG. 2 in the form of a signaldiagram. The elements and functionality discussed in connection withFIG. 2 thus apply to FIGS. 3A-3B and vice versa.

In step 300, the submitter system 120 receives user input that indicatesthe job details for the release of a document, and stores the receiveduser input. As discussed herein the job details may include setting therelease time, the intended recipients, the editors and/or approvers,etc. . . Step 300 also includes the submitter system 120 transmitting(or otherwise providing) the job details to the system 100.

At step 302, the submitter system 120 transmits (or otherwise provides)the document to the system 100.

Once the document is received by the system 100 it is encrypted at step304. At step 306 a blockchain transaction is created that includes theencrypted document or a hash thereof, this transaction is then submittedto the blockchain 116 at step 308. After being received at theblockchain 116, the transaction is stored in the blockchain 116. Incertain examples, the transaction is “from” the submitter and “to” oneor more editors. In certain examples, the transaction is “to” one ormore approvers.

In the case of an editor being required, the editor is set and thennotified at step 310. In certain examples, an editor is notified viaemail or the like that a document is ready to be reviewed and edited.

At step 312 the editor edits the document by accessing the document thatwas stored in accordance with the submitted blockchain transaction at308. Each edit session by the editor system 122 may correspondinglycause the creation of a blockchain transaction in step 314 for theedited document. This new blockchain transaction is then submitted atstep 316 to the blockchain 116 where it is stored therein. Depending onthe nature of the job, the transaction that is created at step 314 maybe from the editor back to the same editor (e.g., in the case of furtheredits being required), may be from the editor to another editor(s)(e.g., as represented by the dashed line back to 312), or may be fromthe editor to one or more approvers. Different editors may use the sameeditor system 122 or a different editor system (e.g., a differentcomputer system).

After editing, the system 100 may determine (e.g., in accordance withthe set job details) that the document no longer is being edited andthen finalize the document at step 318. Finalizing the document maycause the creation and submission of another blockchain transaction bythe system 100 at step 320 to the blockchain 116. Accordingly, thefinalized document may be incorporated into the blockchain 116 (e.g., bybeing cryptographically verified).

After finalizing the document, the system 100 may also convert, at step322, the document into a format that will be used for disseminating thedocument to the recipients. The converted document may also be saved tothe blockchain 116. It will be appreciated that each successiveblockchain transaction for a document may refer back to a priorblockchain transaction for that document (e.g., the unspent “outputs” ofone blockchain transaction are used as “inputs” for a successiveblockchain transaction). This may facilitate the creation and stabilityof an audit trail from the submission of the initial document throughthe eventual dissemination of the document to the recipients.

In any event, once the document has been finalized and is in the formatthat will be disseminated, the approvers will be notified at step 326.In certain examples, the notification may be a message that is deliveredto the approver system 124 and in other examples the notification maybe, for example, an email that is sent to the email address associatedwith an approver.

At step 328, the approver may approve 334, reject and discard 330, orreject and request further modifications 332 via the approver system124. If the approver completely rejects the document 330 (e.g., via areject command provided from the approver system 124) another blockchaintransaction may be generated “to” a special trash address that is on theblockchain. The key for this address may be held by the system 100 suchthat no outside parties (or perhaps even the system 100) could thenunlock the document (or the transaction that contains the document)because it is signed by a public key for which no party has access to.

In the case of rejection and further modifications 332 (e.g., via anedit command provided from the approver system 124), another blockchaintransaction may be generated (e.g., from the approver to an editor) thateffectively returns the process to step 312 (or another editor of theapprover's choosing). The process would then repeat from step 312.

Finally, the approver may also approve the document for release at 334(e.g., via an approval command provided from the approver system 124).When an approver approves the release of a document they may effectivelybe signing (from the perspective of the blockchain) the finaltransaction. Once signed, then any other conditions associated with thetransaction (e.g., a timed release) would then wait to be fulfilled at338.

In the meantime, the system 100 monitors the blockchain 116 for when thescript associated with this “final” transaction has been fulfilled instep 336. If it has been fulfilled, then the system 100 may notify (atstep 340) the recipients 126 that the document is now available on theblockchain 116 and/or recipient systems 126 may directly monitor theblockchain 116 (at step 342) such that blockchain 116 effectivelynotifies the recipients 126 of the expiration of the script associatedwith the final blockchain transaction. In certain example embodiments,the document may be made available by having the system 100 send anemail or other communication to the recipients with the document.Accordingly, the document that was initially uploaded may be secured andtimely delivered to the intended recipients.

Description of FIG. 4

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system 500 accordingto certain example embodiments (e.g., an information system 100, thesubmitter system 120, editor system 122, approver system 124, asdescribed in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 or a computing node that ispart of a distributed computing system used to process and maintain theblockchain 116, etc. . . . ). Computing system 500 includes a processingsystem 502 with CPU 1, CPU 2, CPU 3, CPU 4, a system bus 504 thatcommunicates with RAM 506, and storage 508. The storage 508 can bemagnetic, flash based (e.g., for a mobile client device), solid state,or other storage technology. A storage system may comprise cache memorythat are on the computer chip of CPU 1, RAM 506, storage 508, hardwareregisters, external systems 522, and the like.

In certain example embodiments, the processing system 502 is programmed(e.g., via a series of program instructions) to carry out the processand/or one or more of the steps/actions shown in FIG. 2 and/or FIGS. 3Aand 3B.

In certain example embodiments, the processing system is programmed toimplement functionality associated with user interface 200. This mayinclude a web server that serves up html and other web content to clientcomputer systems or include, software interfaces (e.g., APIs) thatreceive remote procedure calls or service invocations from remotecomputing devices. Additional functionality may also be programmaticallyimplemented for an example computing system.

The system bus 504 communicates with user input adapter 510 (e.g., PS/2,USB interface, or the like) that allows users in input commands tocomputing system 500 via a user input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard,mouse, touch panel, or the like). The results of the processing may bedisplayed to a user on a display 516 (e.g., an LCD) via displayinterface 514 (e.g., a video card or the like). In certain exampleembodiments, commands to computing system 500 may be provided vianetwork interface 518 (as discussed above). In certain exampleembodiments, representations a document or content that is part of a jobmay be displayed on display 516 or a display that is communicativelycoupled to computing system 500 via network interface 518. In certainexample embodiments, content for a job being managed by the informationsystem 100 may be directly entered via user input device 512. Certainexamples embodiments may include one or more user input adapters (e.g.,a keyboard and mouse). Certain example embodiments may include one ormore output devices (e.g. multiple monitors and/or multiple displayinterfaces).

The computing system 500 may also include a network interface 518 (e.g.,a transceiver) to facilitate wired (e.g., Ethernet—802.3x) and/orwireless communication (WiFi/802.11x protocols, cellular technology, andthe like) with external systems 522, databases 520, and other systemsvia network 524. External systems 522 may include other processingsystems, systems that provide third party services, etc. Externalsystems 522 may be client devices or server systems.

External systems 522 may also include network attached storage (NAS) tohold large amounts of data. External systems, along with the internalstorage and memory, may form a storage system for storing andmaintaining information (e.g., job information, documents, userinformation, etc. . . . ). Such a system may communicate with usersand/or other computing systems. The database 520 may include relational,object orientated, or other types of databases for storing information.

In certain example embodiments, the storage system of the computersystem may store instructions that cause one or more processors (e.g.,the processing system) of the computer system to perform each or anycombination of actions described herein as performed by, for example, aninformation system, a client computer system, and/or an externalcomputer system.

In certain example embodiments, a method can include each or anycombination of actions described herein as performed by a computersystem, including the information systems of FIGS. 1 and 2. In certainexample embodiments, a method can include each or any combination ofactions described herein as performed by a user device (e.g., submittersystem 120, editor system 122, approver system 124, etc. . . . ).

In certain example embodiments, a computing system includes each or anycombination of the components shown as included in the exemplarycomputing system 500 of FIG. 4, where the each or any combination of thecomponents are configured to perform the method(s) in the aboveparagraph(s) or the processes, steps, and/or actions shown in FIG. 2,3A, or 3B.

In certain example embodiments, a processor is configured or programmedto perform the method(s) above and/or the processes, steps, and/oractions shown in FIG. 2, 3A, or 3B.

Certain example embodiments described herein may incorporate theblockchain techniques discussed in U.S. Application No. 62/270,560 orU.S. application Ser. No. 15/200,756, the entire contents of each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

In other words, the processes, techniques, and the like, describedherein (for client devices, server, information system, distributedcomputing system, and/or controller systems) may be implemented on acomputing system. Such implementations may then configure or program theprocessing system to carry out aspects according to certain exampleembodiments. It will be appreciated that other architecture types may beused. For example, a single CPU may be used instead of multiple CPUS.Alternatively, a processing system may include multiple CPU “cores.”Further, the various elements shown in connection with FIG. 4 may beincluded into one cohesive physical structure (e.g., such as a tabletdevice). The components and functionality shown in FIGS. 1-3B may beimplemented on or in conjunction with the example computing system shownin FIG. 4 (e.g., to thereby create a specific purpose computingmachine).

Individual function or process blocks are shown in the figures. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the functions of those blocksmay be implemented using individual hardware circuits, using softwareprograms and data in conjunction with a suitably programmed hardware,using applications specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and/or usingone or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The software programinstructions and data may be stored on non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium and when the instructions are executed by a computer, orother suitable hardware processor, control the computer or hardwareprocessor to perform the functionality defined in the programinstructions.

Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described orclaimed in a particular sequential order, such processes may beconfigured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence ororder of steps that may be explicitly described or claimed does notnecessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in thatorder. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in anyorder possible. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously (orin parallel) despite being described or implied as occurringnon-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the otherstep). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in adrawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive ofother variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that theillustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process ispreferred. A description of a process is a description of an apparatusfor performing the process. The apparatus that performs the process mayinclude, e.g., a processor and those input devices and output devicesthat are appropriate to perform the process.

Various forms of non-transitory, computer-readable media may be involvedin carrying data (e.g., sequences of instructions) to a processor. Forexample, data may be (i) delivered from RAM or cache to a processor;(ii) or instructions for a process may be stored in an instructionregister and loaded by a processor. Instructions and/or data may becarried or delivery over other types of transmission mediums (e.g.,wire, wireless, optical, etc.) and/or transmitted according to numerousformats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP,ATP, Bluetooth, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, 3G, etc.; Such transitorysignals may be coupled to non-transitory media (e.g., RAM, cache, harddrive, a receiver, registers, etc. . . . ), thus transitory signals willbe coupled to non-transitory media. The transitory and non-transitorysignals, instructions, and/or data, may be encrypted to ensure privacyor prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.

Technical Advantages of Described Subject Matter

In certain example embodiments, an information release system interfaceswith a blockchain to facilitate the release of sensitive digitalinformation (e.g. an earnings report, a new release, etc. . . . ) to agroup of intended recipients. The incorporation of a blockchain and thedigital wallets that are used for transactions on the blockchainadvantageously provides security and an audit trail for a given piece ofelectronic information (e.g., the document to be released). In certainexample embodiments, the use of multi-signature functionality (e.g. ablockchain address the requires multiple signature to unencumber a giventransaction) provides for a secure and verifiable process that allowsusers (e.g., the CFO, CEO, etc. . . . ) to review a document before thedocument is released to the recipients. The multi-signaturefunctionality cryptographically guarantees that two or more private keysmust be used before the document is released to the intended recipients.The incorporated audit trail functionality also provides a cryptographicguarantee that the document or content that is approved by the approversis the same document or content that is then “sent” to the recipients.

The technical features described herein thus improve the security,verifiability, and reliability of an electronic information release(e.g., a custodian, “newswire,” or “online news distribution,” etc. . .. ) service.

Selected Terminology

Whenever it is described in this document that a given item is presentin “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,”“certain example embodiments”, “some example embodiments,” “an exemplaryembodiment,” or whenever any other similar language is used, it shouldbe understood that the given item is present in at least one embodiment,though is not necessarily present in all embodiments. Consistent withthe foregoing, whenever it is described in this document that an action“may,” “can,” or “could” be performed, that a feature, element, orcomponent “may,” “can,” or “could” be included in or is applicable to agiven context, that a given item “may,” “can,” or “could” possess agiven attribute, or whenever any similar phrase involving the term“may,” “can,” or “could” is used, it should be understood that the givenaction, feature, element, component, attribute, etc. is present in atleast one embodiment, though is not necessarily present in allembodiments. Terms and phrases used in this document, and variationsthereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed asopen-ended rather than limiting. As examples of the foregoing: “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items (e.g., a and/or b means a, b, or a and b); the singularforms “a”, “an” and “the” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “oneor more,” or the like; the term “example” is used provide examples ofthe subject under discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting listthereof; the terms “comprise” and “include” (and other conjugations andother variations thereof) specify the presence of the associated listeditems but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more otheritems; and if an item is described as “optional,” such descriptionshould not be understood to indicate that other items are also notoptional.

As used herein, the term “non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium” includes a register, a cache memory, a ROM, a semiconductormemory device (such as a D-RAM, S-RAM, or other RAM), a magnetic mediumsuch as a flash memory, a hard disk, a magneto-optical medium, anoptical medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or Blu-Ray Disc, or other typeof device for non-transitory electronic data storage. The term“non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” does not include atransitory, propagating electromagnetic signal.

Additional Applications of Described Subject Matter

Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail,the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or example. Forexample, while blockchain technology is described as being used in anumber of embodiments, it should be understood that, in other additionalembodiments, one or more other distributed ledger technologies may beused in place of the blockchain technology. Further, while many examplesare provided herein in the context of an information release system, itshould be understood that the features described herein are equallyapplicable other types of electronic information processing systems.None of the above description should be read as implying that anyparticular element, step, range, or function is essential. Allstructural and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and areintended to be encompassed. Moreover, it is not necessary for a deviceor method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by thepresent invention, for it to be encompassed by the invention. Noembodiment, feature, component, or step in this specification isintended to be dedicated to the public.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer system for securely releasingtime-sensitive information to a plurality of intended recipients, thecomputer system comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate witha distributed blockchain computing system that stores a blockchain datastructure; a storage system configured to store: a plurality of digitalcryptographic data structures, wherein a first one of the plurality ofdigital cryptographic data structures is associated with a submitteruser that submits documents to be released and a second one of theplurality of digital cryptographic data structures is associated with anapprover user that approves the release of documents; a processingsystem that includes at least one hardware processor, the processingsystem configured to: receive a document from a first computer systemthat is associated with the submitter user; submit a first blockchaintransaction, which is based on the received document and the digitalcryptographic data structure that is associated with the submitter user,to the distributed blockchain computing system for incorporation intothe blockchain data structure; submit a second blockchain transaction,which is cryptographically linked to the first blockchain transaction,to the distributed blockchain computing system for incorporation intothe blockchain data structure, wherein the second blockchain transactionis to a blockchain identifier associated with the approver user andincludes the document; receive, from a computer system associated withthe approver user, an approval command for the document; and responsiveto the approval command, submit, to the distributed blockchain computingsystem, a third blockchain transaction that includes the document thathas been approved, wherein the third blockchain transaction is linked,directly or indirectly, to the first and second blockchain transactions,wherein the third blockchain transaction includes a programmatic lockingscript with a timer condition that is set to expire at a defined time,wherein the plurality of intended recipients cannot access the documentincluded in the third blockchain transaction until expiration of thetimer condition.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein: a third oneof the plurality of digital cryptographic data structures is associatedwith at least one editor user that edits documents to be released, theprocessing system is further configured to: when a blockchaintransaction for the document is associated with the digitalcryptographic data structure of the editor user, receive, from acomputer system associated with the editor user, edits of the document;generate a fourth blockchain transaction based on the edits and/or anedited version of the document; and submit the fourth blockchaintransaction to the distributed blockchain computing system forincorporation into the blockchain data structure, wherein the fourthblockchain transaction is cryptographically linked to, directly orindirectly, the first, second, and third blockchain transactions.
 3. Thecomputer system of claim 2, wherein the fourth blockchain transaction isassigned to a blockchain identifier associated with the digitalcryptographic data structure of a second editor user, wherein theprocessing system is further configured to generate a fifth blockchaintransaction based on edits to the document received from the secondeditor user and submit the fifth blockchain transaction to thedistributed blockchain computing system, wherein the fifth blockchaintransaction is cryptographically linked to, directly or indirectly, thefirst, second, third, and fourth blockchain transactions.
 4. Thecomputer system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is furtherconfigured to: when a blockchain transaction is associated with thedigital cryptographic data structure of the approver user, receive, froma computer system associated with the approver user, a reject commandfor the document.
 5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein theprocessing system is further configured to: in response to reception ofthe rejection command, generate and submit a cancel blockchaintransaction to the distributed blockchain computing system, wherein thecancel blockchain transaction is to a blockchain address that is notassociated with any of the plurality of intended recipients.
 6. Thecomputer system of claim 5, wherein the blockchain address is an addressassociated with an editor user.
 7. The computer system of claim 5,wherein the blockchain address is not associated with any submitter,editor, or approver user.
 8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein theapprover user includes multiple different approver users that mustapprove the document prior to the document being made available to allof the plurality of intended recipients.
 9. The computer system of claim1, wherein the document that is released to the plurality of intendedrecipients includes a version of the document that has been furtheredited and/or converted from the document received from the firstcomputer system.
 10. A method for securely releasing time-sensitiveinformation using a computer system that includes a transceiverconfigured to communicate with a distributed blockchain computing systemthat stores a blockchain data structure, the method comprising:accessing a plurality of digital cryptographic data structures, whereina first one of the plurality of digital cryptographic data structures isassociated with a submitter user that submits documents to be releasedand a second one of the plurality of digital cryptographic datastructures is associated with an approver user that approves the releaseof documents; receiving a document from a first computer system, whereinthe received document is associated with the submitter user; generatinga first blockchain transaction for submission to the blockchaincomputing system, the generation of the first blockchain transactionbeing based at least in part on the digital cryptographic data structurethat is associated with the submitter user, wherein the first blockchaintransaction includes the document; generating a second blockchaintransaction for submission to the blockchain computing system, thegeneration of the second blockchain transaction being based at least inpart on a blockchain identifier that is associated with the digitalcryptographic data structure of the approver user, wherein the secondblockchain transaction includes the document; subsequent to submissionof the second blockchain transaction, receiving, from a computer systemassociated with the approver user, an approval command for the documentthat is included with the second blockchain transaction; and responsiveto the approval command, submitting, to the distributed blockchaincomputing system, a third blockchain transaction that includes thedocument being made available, via the blockchain data structure, to aplurality of intended recipients, wherein the third blockchaintransaction is linked, directly or indirectly, to the first and secondblockchain transactions, wherein the third blockchain transactionincludes a programmatic locking script that locks access to the documentuntil a scheduled time of the programmatic locking script has beensatisfied, wherein upon satisfaction of the scheduled time, the documentof the third blockchain transaction is accessible by the plurality ofintended recipients.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a third one ofthe plurality of digital cryptographic data structures is associatedwith at least one editor user that edits documents to be released, themethod further comprising: receiving, from a computer system associatedwith the editor user, edits of the document; generating a fourthblockchain transaction based on the edits and/or an edited version ofthe document; and submitting the fourth blockchain transaction to thedistributed blockchain computing system for incorporation into theblockchain data structure, wherein the fourth blockchain transaction islinked to, directly or indirectly, the first, second, and thirdblockchain transactions.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fourthblockchain transaction is to a blockchain identifier associated with thedigital cryptographic data structure of a second editor user, the methodfurther comprising: generating a fifth blockchain transaction based onedits to the document received from the second editor user and submitthe fifth blockchain transaction to the distributed blockchain computingsystem, wherein the fifth blockchain transaction is linked to, directlyor indirectly, the first, second, third, and fourth blockchaintransactions.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: when ablockchain transaction is associated with the digital cryptographic datastructure of the approver user, receiving, from a computer systemassociated with the approver user, a reject command for the document.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: in response to receptionof the rejection command, generating and submitting a cancel blockchaintransaction to the distributed blockchain computing system, wherein thecancel blockchain transaction is to a blockchain address that is notassociated with any of the plurality of intended recipients.
 15. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions foruse with a computer system that includes a transceiver and a storagesystem, the transceiver configured to communicate with a distributedblockchain computing system that stores a blockchain, the storage systemconfigured to store a plurality of digital cryptographic datastructures, wherein a first one of the plurality of digitalcryptographic data structures associated with a submitter user thatsubmits documents to be released, wherein a second one of the pluralityof digital cryptographic data structures associated with an approveruser that approves the release of documents, the stored instructionscomprising instructions that cause the computer system to: receive adocument from a first computer system that is associated with thesubmitter user; generate and submit a first blockchain transaction tothe distributed blockchain computing system, the first blockchaintransaction based on the received document and the digital cryptographicdata structure that is associated with the submitter user; generate andsubmit a second blockchain transaction to the distributed blockchaincomputing system, wherein the second blockchain transaction is to ablockchain identifier that is associated with the digital cryptographicdata structure of the approver user and is based on the document,wherein the second blockchain transaction is cryptographically dependenton the first blockchain transaction; receive, from a computer systemassociated with the approver user, an approval command for the documentassociated with the second blockchain transaction; and responsive to theapproval command, generate and submit, to the distributed blockchaincomputing system, a third blockchain transaction that includes thedocument, wherein third blockchain transaction is cryptographicallylinked, directly or indirectly, to the first and second blockchaintransactions, wherein the third blockchain transaction includes aprogrammatic locking script with a timer condition that is set to expireat a defined time, wherein a plurality of intended recipients cannotaccess the document included in the third blockchain transaction untilexpiration of the timer condition.
 16. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium of claim 15, wherein a third one of theplurality of digital cryptographic data structures is associated with atleast one editor user that edits documents to be released, and thestored instructions comprise further instructions that cause thecomputer system to: when a blockchain transaction for the document isassociated with the digital cryptographic data structure of the editoruser, receive, from a computer system associated with the editor user,edits of the document; generate a fourth blockchain transaction based onthe edits and/or an edited version of the document; and submit thefourth blockchain transaction to the distributed blockchain computingsystem, wherein the fourth blockchain transaction is linked to, directlyor indirectly, the first, second, and third blockchain transactions. 17.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, whereinthe fourth blockchain transaction is assigned to a blockchain identifierassociated with the digital cryptographic data structure of a secondeditor user, and the stored instructions comprise further instructionsthat cause the computer system to: generate a fifth blockchaintransaction based on edits to the document received from the secondeditor user and submit the fifth blockchain transaction to thedistributed blockchain computing system, wherein the fifth blockchaintransaction is linked to, directly or indirectly, the first, second,third, and fourth blockchain transactions.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the approver useris multiple different approver users that must approve the documentprior to the document being made available to all of the plurality ofintended recipients.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the stored instructions comprise furtherinstructions that cause the computer system to: when a blockchaintransaction is associated with the digital cryptographic data structureof the approver user, receive, from a computer system associated withthe approver user, a reject command for the document.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein thestored instructions comprise further instructions that cause thecomputer system to: in response to reception of the rejection command,generate and submit a cancel blockchain transaction to the distributedblockchain computing system, wherein the cancel blockchain transactionis to a blockchain address that is not associated with any of theplurality of intended recipients.